Business Betties help women succeed

"I'm really good at thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative solutions to problems".

Business Betties

Maybe it's a stereotype, but women do love a good makeover. And women in business certainly need to make sure their public face is on just right.

Enter Business Betties.

Launched in February, Business Betties is a collaboration of two area women who aim to give a makeover of sorts to women business owners by helping them establish a lively look and identity for their businesses.

It's run by Suzanne Larocque, a 41-year-old photographer from East Longmeadow, and Allison Biggs, 32, a graphic designer from Longmeadow. They call themselves "mavens on a mission."

"We provide business and website planning for small business entrepreneurs, to keep them from feeling frustrated and stuck," their website, businessbetties.com, says. "We provide a customized action plan with hand-picked resources and vendors. We also manage their projects to keep them on task, saving them frustration, time, and money."

"Since Allison and I had worked together on other projects over the last several years, I invited her to be a part of Business Betties," she said.

Allison Biggs, 31, above, a graphic designer from Longmeadow, and Suzanne Larocque, right, a 41-year-old photographer from East Longmeadow, formed Business Betties in February.

Laroque said the partnership focuses on helping women, who own businesses, develop "branding through design and photography."

Larocque has waited tables in a soda shop, worked as an administrative assistant and in physical therapy and product development. She said she eventually learned that she is good at "big-picture thinking, project management, technical know-how and perseverance."

She has more than 13 years of experience photographing in New England and New York, and enjoys bringing her clients' visions to life. She said she takes satisfaction in using her skills to help "other women be successful."

Larocque has served on the board of directors for the Women Business Owners Alliance since 2006, and was president from 2009 to 2011. She was also named one of the "Top 25 Women to Watch" by Western Mass Women Magazine in 2012.

Biggs has worked as a filing clerk for an insurance company, mixed paint in a home improvement store and designed newspaper ads. In May 2007, she started her own design business. She is an adjunct professor in computer graphics at Westfield State University.

"I'm really good at thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative solutions to problems," she said.

"I'm patient, and I don't lose my cool when faced with a challenge. I'm an information sponge and love to pass on my knowledge and know-how to others."

In 2012, Biggs was named one of the "Top 40 under 40" by Business West and one of the "Top 25 Women to Watch" in 2012 by Western Mass Women Magazine.

Biggs said a typical client is a woman business owner who is either launching her business or seeking to revamp her brand.

"As a designer, the most exciting thing to watch is how creating a business goes from an idea to a reality in your client's mind," Biggs added.

"There's an 'aha' moment for everyone, though each person's might be different. Sometimes it's getting their final logo composition. Other times it's holding their new business cards in their hands. Whatever that moment is, it's rewarding to know that as their designer, as part of their team, I was able to help them start the journey as an entrepreneur."

Larocque said she is always thrilled, and a little humbled, when a client is excited about her photos.

"As adults, we tend to shy away from having our photos taken," she said. "We usually latch on to the parts about ourselves that we don't like. I have photographed so many women who tell me that they 'take awful photos,' and then when we're done, they are slightly shocked and amazed as to how good they look."

For more information on the collaboration, visit businessbetties.com or call (413) 486-0172.